Time Required:
5-10 minutes
Tools Required:
- Small boards
- Full sets of small pieces
Chess Objective(s):
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate how the chess board is set up to start the game
General Objective(s):
- Enhance fine and gross motor skills
- Improve memory
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship
Description:
Place the small boards at one side of the room (on a table if available) and the small pieces sorted by player at the other end of the room. When you say Ready-Set-Go!, the children should race and grab 1 piece at a time, go place it on the board, then return and grab another piece, etc. Goal is to finish your board the fastest. Everyone should cheer when ANYONE completes their board (let everyone finish).
You can repeat the game so someone else has a chance to win. On repeat plays, you can say they have to walk, or have to move backward, etc.
Variation 1:
Sort by piece type instead of by player, so everyone is grabbing from one pile of black kings, one pile of black pawns, etc.
Description for Parents
Kids raced to set up the chessboards, grabbing pieces from one side of the play area and setting up the board on the other side. We all cheered when anyone completed their board!